Instant Happy

Anyone have a case of the Mondays? Watch this video. If you're not smiling and laughing by the end...well, then there's just no hope for you.

Maybe it's the hormones but this is one of the most adorable things I've ever seen.

I've watched this video three times already. It's like cute baby crack. I can't get enough.

Oscar Highlights

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards sure were...interesting. I'm not sure I've ever seen so much awkwardness in one broadcast. Franco appeared to be high as a kite and Anne Hathaway was so over the top eager I had to look away a few times. At one point I heard her "woo" for one of the announcers. Oh my. 

Still, there were some bright spots.  Annette Benning looked stunning. I was disappointed she didn't win Best Actress for her role in The Kids Are All Right but she certainly won Best Dressed in my book.

Cate Blanchette's dress. You either loved it or you hated it. I loved it. And I applaud her for taking a risk and not wearing another version of the same dress we've seen 100 times before. (BTW, if I were on the red carpet I'd be wearing another version of a black or navy dress we've seen 100 times before. I'm just saying.)

Tim Gunn loved Gwyneth Paltrow's look and I make it a point never to disagree with Tim Gunn - particularly when he's right. I thought she looked phenomenal. I only wish her performance had been as big a success as her dress.

Other highlights for me - Aaron Sorkin's first Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Social Network, Colin Firth winning Best Actor and The King's Speech taking home Best Picture. Truth be told, I would have been equally happy had The Social Network won the big prize of the night as they were both excellent movies. The stage design was another bright spot in an otherwise bleak show. The way it glittered and changed throughout the show was really beautiful.

What were your Oscar highlights?

Crib Dilemma

Friends, I need your help.  And some advice. And probably a reality check and a good smack in the face. Please feel free to offer one or all of the above. Here's my little dilemma.

I found the perfect crib for Baby B's nursery. (Let's not get started on how excited I got over a freakin' crib because the sadness of it all is too much for the formerly fun girl to bear. Life sure does change fast.)  I think this crib will work perfectly for a boy or a girl, the color will coordinate well with the dresser and armoire I plan to put in the room and I love the simplicity of the straight rails and arched end panels. Basically, I am smitten with this crib. (Again, sad. Who am I?)

I ordered the crib on Monday and was over the moon. "Buy crib" was officially checked off our very long baby to-do list.

Here's the problem. (And can I just preface this with the following disclaimer? I realize the "problem" I am about to tell you is a total non-problem and could only be considered a problem by someone who clearly has no real problems to deal with. Totally a non-issue in the grand scheme of life. People have real problems and I don't mean to elevate a crib issue to the level of actual problems. Okay, I feel a little better now.)  Back to the issue: The crib is back-ordered 17-19 weeks, plus an additional shipping time of 2-3 weeks. If the crib takes the full 22 weeks to arrive, we won't have it until 2 weeks before I'm due.

Do I wait? Or should I find a different crib? I love this crib and I know the baby likely won't be sleeping in it for the first few months anyhow, so I'm inclined to wait. However, I know it will drive me absolutely bonkers to have an incomplete nursery for so long. And what if the baby makes an early appearance and the nursery isn't done?  

What would you do?  Mom friends, were any of you in a similar situation? Any advice is appreciated. Even if it is "Holy crap woman, quit bitching about stupid stuff." 

Before & After

Any Wheel of Fortune fans? (KT, I'm talking to you!) I have a Before & After puzzle for you:

J_ _ _ S   T _ YLOR   S _ _ _T

It's an easy one but I'll give you a minute.

...




...




....


Give up?  Maybe this helps. (Or completely gives it away.)

If you guessed "James Taylor Swift" - you're right!  Now you're probably wondering what the hell this has to do with anything. 

My amazing, too good to be true husband scored me tickets to see James Taylor AND Taylor Swift. I am beyond excited!!!  (In case you couldn't tell, I have sort of schizophrenic music taste.) We got great seats for boths shows - I can hardly wait.

I am a life long James Taylor fan. I grew up listening to James Taylor records (and later CDs) with my dad but have never had the chance to see him in concert. I am so excited to finally get the opportunity. Brian and my first dance at the wedding was to "You Are My Only One." (Well, sorta. We did two takes on the "first" dance. DJ played the wrong song first time around. It was pretty funny.)  It's not one of his best known songs so he probably won't play it at the concert but I know I'll love the show anyway. 

The Taylor Swift concert is in June and I am WAY more excited about it than I care to admit!  I'll probably be the only extremely pregnant 30 year old in a sea of tweens but I really don't care. I love her new CD, and well, everything else she sings.

What's the last concert you went to? Any concerts coming up that you're excited about?

Confession Session

I need to get a few things off my chest.

I ate McDonald's for lunch today. A plain double cheeseburger with fries - and it was ahhh-mazing.

It was so good it made the severe guilt over eating that kind of crap worth it.  Does anyone else feel incredibly ashamed to be seen in the McDonald's drive thru?  Something about pulling away from those Golden Arches makes me feel like I just kicked a puppy (or something equally terrible). 

Every time I see someone wearing sunglasses inside I have this irresistible urge to make a smart ass comment. I just cannot help myself. Don't they know how stupid they look?

I've yet to actually make a snarky comment and likely never will but boy is it tempting.

After dinner last night, I was craving dessert. I ran up to the grocery store and came home with a box of these.

There were four in the box. Between B and I, we've already polished them off. 

My mom might have better fashion sense than I do. She just picked up these adorable espadrilles:

How cute are they?!?!  Despite being a major klutz who has tripped over her own feet more than once, I can't help but wish I had a pair of my own.  Still, I think I'll put 4 inch heels on hold for the next six months.

 I hadn't heard the Justin Bieber "Baby" song until this week's episode of Glee.  I kinda liked it.

Whew, that feels better. Anything you want to get off your chest?

happy

It really is the little things in life. Today, a few "little things" have teamed up to make this a great day. 

I started my day off with a bowl of these.

(Don't worry, I had some fruit, too. I don't feed the baby all crap.)

I have a stack of fun books to read.

I found my Wicked CD and have been listening to it at my desk all day.

I have to remind myself not to sing along with my headphones on. I don't think anyone at the office wants to hear my screechy rendition of "Popular."   I can't help it though - I love Wicked!  We've seen it twice but I'm still tempted to buy tickets for its upcoming Broadway Across America run in Orlando. Have you seen it? If not and you have the opportunity, do not miss it. It's hands down my favorite Broadway musical.

And how could these tiny little outfits not put a smile on your face?!?!

Baby Gap was having a big sale last week and I simply couldn't help myself. Would you look at those precious ruffles!  I die. And no, if you're wondering, you didn't miss an announcement. We do not know yet whether Baby B is a boy or a girl. But we have a number of friends who are pregnant or have little girls. If Baby B is a boy, I will be thrilled to pass these on. They're just too cute to return.

What's making you happy today?

Shamu & Huey

Tomorrow we're headed here...

to see this guy...

and a maybe feed a few of these.

 
Later in the day, we'll head to this event at the park:

and I'll totally geek out with these guys.

HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS!

Y'all, I cannot lie. I love Huey Lewis & the News. I am beyond excited to see them in concert! And I am so grateful to my sweet husband who is going with me on this little adventure tomorrow.  I'm not sure how much interest he really has in marine animals and Huey Lewis but when I asked if we could go, he didn't hesitate to say yes.* Though, come to think of it, I suppose the barbecue and beer garden was pretty good incentive. And the free tickets our sweet friend shared with us didn't hurt either! 

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

*Do I get credit for not making the terribly obvious yet still tempting that's the "Power of Love" reference?

"That ain't no Etch-A-Sketch"

Pregnancy tests should come with anti-anxiety medication. 

You laugh but I'm serious. Each box should contain a stick to pee on and a pill to calm you the eff down while you wait for the results. And then try for the next 45 minutes to decipher them.

In a situation in which accuracy and certainty is paramount, you'd think these pregnancy tests would be a bit more clear. Well, let me tell you. Most of these suckers are anything but clear.

I give you Exhibit A.  The picture of my confusion.

I took the test on the bottom on Thursday, December 2, 2010.  The instructions said a blue line in the round window means you're pregnant. It looked negative to me so I tossed it in the trash.  (Yes, I later fished it out of the trash. I know, gross.)

The next day, Friday, I thought I should take another test just to be sure because we had a big day of tailgating & football (i.e. drinking) planned for Saturday.  On the off chance I was pregnant, I didn't want to get my baby all boozed up on Bud Light and sweet tea vodka. That will have to wait until the little one is at 12. (I kid, I kid.)  So I took the test on top. A plus sign in the round window means you're pregnant. Do you see the faintest of faint vertical lines? I thought maybe I did. But it was so light I thought maybe I was just seeing what I wanted to see instead of what was there. 

This is when I fished test #1 out of the trash. This time, I thought I saw the very faintest of lines I hadn't seen the day before.  At this point I'm standing in the bathroom squinting at two sticks I have peed on wondering what the hell they mean and coming damn near close to hyperventilating. I have a friggin' law degree and I can't read a simple pregnancy test. Pathetic.

So, I did what I should have done in the first place. I got in the car, drove to Walgreens and picked up a digital pregnancy test. 

The two minutes I waited for that test to stop flashing and tell me "Pregnant" or "Not Pregnant" might have been the longest of my life. Finally, the display stopped flashing and the word "Pregnant" appeared on the screen.

This is when the anti-anxiety medication really would have come in handy. 

If you find yourself in the market for pregnancy tests, please for the love of all that is good and holy, do yourself a favor and pick up a digital test.  You won't be sorry.

And because I can't get enough Juno...

Juno: No, this is not a food baby all right? I've taken like three pregnancy tests, and I'm forshizz up the spout.

Leah: How did you even generate enough pee for three pregnancy tests? That's amazing...

Juno: I don't know, I drank like, ten tons of Sunny D... Anyway dude, I'm telling you I'm pregnant and you're acting shockingly cavalier.

Leah: Is this for real? Like, for real for real?

Juno: Unfortunately, yes.

Leah: Oh my GOD. Oh shit! Phuket, Thailand!

Juno: There we go. That was kind of the emotion that I was searching for on the first take.

a little of this, a little of that

*  Gnomeo & Juliet, really? Have we exhausted all better ideas for children's movies than that? Sad.

*  My husband does laundry. I absolutely adore this about him.

* Does anyone else think that being anti-Valentine's Day has become more cliché  than Valentine's Day itself?  I can't help but roll my eyes every time I hear someone say it's a "Hallmark Holiday."  What holiday isn't commercialized?  Weeks before every St. Patrick's Day, Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas you can find aisles of candy, cards and decorations devoted to the holiday  at every store - yet none of these holidays is singled out for hatred.  I can understand not buying into the commercialized hype of Valentine's Day but what's so bad about a holiday that celebrates love?  I think people just like being on the "Valentine's Day Sucks" bandwagon.

*  Polenta and grits - same thing, different name, right?

*  I'm still laughing over this one: A company contacted me and wanted me to feature their product on my blog because they thought my blog was "a great resource for information on healthy eating and living."  HA! Have they read my blog? Did they see what I made for the Super Bowl? Pre-pregnancy, did I not talk at length for my love of booze, Diet Coke and Starbucks?  Have I not made it clear that I haven't seen the inside of my gym in weeks? I think they might want to do a little more research (say, read the blogs they target) before asking to place their products. I sure did appreciate the laugh though.

*  I usually love Glee but I wasn't a fan of the post-Super Bowl episode. Boring. I need more Kurt. And Sue. And less football plot nonsense.

*  The library delivered Black Heels to Tractor Wheels yesterday. I've already read everything posted to the blog, but I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the story. Is anyone else excited to read the end of the Pioneer Woman - Marlboro Man love story? 

Happy Tuesday!

Preggo Q & A

Since I've started telling people I'm pregnant, the two questions I hear most often are the following:

1. How are you feeling?
2. Are you having any cravings?

Since everyone seems interested in the answers to these questions, I thought maybe you all might be too. If you're not, that's okay. I realize babies and pregnancy aren't interesting to everyone. I'll blog about my usually silly things too. But I want to blog about this experience so that I'll remember it. One of these days, I'm going to have the blog printed into a book I can keep and look back on years from now. Anyway, for those of you who might be interested...

I'm feeling great.  I feel incredibly lucky because I haven't been sick. Somewhere around my eighth week I had some nausea and food was a little iffy for me. If I was hungry, there was usually only one thing I could come up with that I wanted to eat and everything else sounded terrible. But that only lasted about a week.

The biggest change in my life has been sleep. For the first 10 weeks I was incredibly tired. I would get home from work, eat dinner and then fall asleep on the couch almost immediately afterward.  On weekends I could take a nap or two and still fall asleep by 8:30pm. I've spent most of my adult life basically nocturnal so this was quite the flip of a switch for me.  (There was one semester in college where my first class was at 4:00pm. I would set an alarm to make sure I woke up by 2pm to get ready in time. Seriously.)  In the past couple weeks I've been a little less tired and have been staying up a bit later - but still nothing like before.  Because I'm going to sleep so early, I have been waking up really early too. Today (I wrote this Saturday) it was 5am. (There is nothing on TV that early.) I also wake up quite a few times a night. Sometimes to go to the bathroom, sometimes I wake up in a panic that I'll hurt the baby because I'm lying on my stomach or back (can you say crazy), sometimes it's just weird dreams. I guess it's nature's way of slowly easing you in to the impending sleep deprivation.

As for cravings, I haven't had too many. Sugary kids cereals have been a favorite - particularly Captain Crunch and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. I saw a box of Apple Jacks at the store today and had to stop myself from throwing it in the cart.  I've been craving pancakes pretty often, too. I think I've made more pancakes in the 13 weeks that I've been pregnant than I have in the past three years combined.  Peanut butter & jelly was an early favorite. I always want Mexican & Thai - the spicier the better - but that was true before I got pregnant so I don't think you can call that a craving. 

Surprisingly, I've pretty much lost my taste for Diet Coke and coffee. I cut them both out when I found out I was pregnant and then tried them again in moderation after hearing it was okay from my doctor.  Diet Coke tasted wayyy too sweet and now I only like it on a rare occasion and with lots of lemon.  I have no interest in coffee. It just doesn't taste good to me anymore. I keep trying to drink the decaf at my office but it's a no-go.  I really hope my taste for it comes back. How am I supposed to handle a newborn on no sleep without coffee?!?! 

I'm guessing the answers to these questions will change as time goes on but that's how I'm feeling now. Also, I'm really starting to regret not picking up those Apple Jacks...

*I've been asked to post bump pictures (Hi Julia!). There's really not a bump yet but I'll post a picture soon. As soon as I can take a decent picture, that is. Shoot, forget decent. I'll settle for a picture where I have only one chin. So far, this has proven to be challenging.

Super Bowl Sunday Menu

**I just realized that this is the graphic from last year's Super Bowl. Not sure why I didn't notice it said 44 instead of 45. I'm an idiot.

The big game is finally here! Super Bowl Sunday. Packers vs. Steelers... yawn.  My apologies to the Cheeseheads and those who wave the Terrible Towel but I just don't give a hoot about this year's game. Still, you have to root for someone to keep things interesting. I've decided to cheer for the Packers because Greg Jennings earned me a buttload* of fantasy points this season - thanks #85!

Some friends are headed up to our favorite bar to watch the Orlando Magic game this afternoon and then the Super Bowl tonight. Brian and I will probably join them for a little bit but we'll head home in time to catch kick-off from the couch.

Because my 49ers haven't been in the Super Bowl since 1994, my favorite part is usually the food. This year, I've decided to make a disgustingly large spread of appetizers. (Are they still appetizers if they're not followed by dinner? With as much junk as I'm making, this will be dinner. For a week.)

Here's the menu:

• Guacamole & Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
• Chili Cheese Dip
• Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
• Bang Bang Shrimp
• Mini Corn Dogs**

Now is that a spread that would make the Barefoot Contessa cry or what? 

What are your Super Bowl plans? And more importantly, what are you eating?

* Moms probably aren't supposed to say things like "buttload," right? Crap. I'll try to work on that before Baby B starts talking.

** I added corn dogs to the menu as I was writing this post. I've been craving them for a while and haven't had them. If I'm going to deep fry shrimp, I might as well toss in a few corn dogs! Guess The Mister is making a grocery store run today.

Thursday Confessions

Wow, you guys sure know how to make a girl feel loved!  Thank you so much for all your congratulations and well wishes on Baby B.  I was overwhelmed by all your sweet comments and it was fun to see some new names I had no idea were reading.

I'm having trouble stringing together coherent thoughts today, so bullet points it is. A few confessions on this Thursday morning:

*  I woke up at 6am this morning, which is earlier than I usually get up for work. Rather than get dressed and head into work early, I put on a West Wing dvd and snuggled up on the couch with a pillow and blanket. Now it's nearly 7:30am and I'm writing this post.  Work will wait. 

* I'm having a hard time getting excited about the Super Bowl. I love football, both professional and college, so the Super Bowl is usually something I look forward to. But this year, I just can't work up any enthusiasm. Steelers vs. Packers...yawn.  As a Niners fan, I grew up hating the Packers so it would be hard to root for them. And the Steelers' quarterback is a d-bag so I really don't want to cheer for them.  I think I shall refer to this as the "Not-So-Super Bowl."

*  You know what I am excited for?  Super Bowl food. Is there anything better than a meal made up entirely of appetizers? Not if you ask me. It's just going to be Brian and me watching from home this year, but I'm planning on making an embarrassingly large spread. Death by guacamole sounds like a good way to go.

*  I know it's terrible, but to those of you snowed in - I'm jealous. I want a snow day.  I want to stay in my jammies all day, light a fire in the fireplace and eat cereal for lunch. I want to watch more West Wing and read my book. Mostly, I don't want to go to the office. I know wishing for record snowfall and icy, treacherous roads in order to achieve this day off is terribly immature but there you have. I covet your snow day.

*  I had my first beignet last night. My thought - "meh."  I have to believe this was not a good beignet. I've heard quite a bit of fuss about the wonder that is beignets and this lived up to none of the hype. I was expecting something light and pillowy. This was dense, with a tough exterior. I'm assuming this is not a beignet as New Orleans intended. Not shocking I suppose that an Orlando restaurant serving 32oz Hurricanes in plastic cups didn't make award winning beignets. (For the record, I was the only one who did not partake in the giant Hurricanes. It was sad. However, I'm probably the only one without a Hurricane-induced hangover so it all works out in the end. Girls, how are you feeling this morning?)

*  I haven't taken any baby bump progress pictures. Isn't that something the newly pregnant are supposed to do?  Aren't first time moms-to-be usually excited and eager to document their growing bellies?  Well, I'm not. I just feel fat. To be fair, I felt fat before I got pregnant so this is NOT the baby's fault.  I suppose I should suck it up and take a picture. It's only going to get worse from here! I'm 13 weeks today so I'll try to remember to have Brian take a picture tonight.

*  I haven't read a single page of 100 Years of Solitude since I rediscovered it in my gym bag. I must force myself to get back into it because I was starting to enjoy it before it was...misplaced. I really need to put in the effort and finish.

Okay, it's 7:45. I should really start getting ready for work now. Happy Thursday! And to those of you staying home for another snow day - enjoy those PJs and have some hot chocolate for me.